Longmont retiree fills free time as Peace Corps volunteer

LONGMONT -- Longmont resident Terry Mattison only was retired for a few months before he realized that riding his bike and relaxing wasn't enough.

Mattison, 66, started looking for something to fill his time and eventually decided that the Peace Corps might meet his needs.

"I wanted something meaningful, an adventure where I could travel and live in a new place," Mattison said. "I needed to help and have some fun."

Mattison spent two years in Ukraine working with the Department of Tourism and Saturday he will go back to the eastern European country for another six months, as part of a response program that provides additional workers on an as-needed basis.

The Peace Corps is most commonly associated with young volunteers, often college graduates, but in 2007 the organization launched a campaign to attract an older demographic.

"The post-retirement age is getting more common," said Peace Corps spokeswoman Erin Durney. "It's a great transition for them to be able to continue their careers but in a different way."

Now, 7 percent of volunteers across the world are 50 years old or older, an all-time high for the organization, Durney said.

When he boarded the plane for his first trip to Ukraine in 2010, Mattison said vodka and beautiful women were about the only things he associated with the country. This time, he said he's leaving with an understanding of the culture, traditions and people he will encounter.

Mattison lived with a local woman who showed him around the city during his first trip, but his work with the tourism department gave him a different perspective of his surroundings.

"I did a lot of strategic planning like working with local castles and museums to translate their information to other languages for advertising," Mattison said. "We also created a self-guided walking tour of the city and worked on improving the overall tourist experience."

When Mattison returns in the fall, he said he might be ready for some down time, but doesn't expect that will last too long. He doesn't have any specific plans in place following his trip, but Mattison said he will be looking for some more local volunteer opportunities.

MacIntyre feels Colorado is capable of making run at bowl gameCU BUFFS FALL CAMPWhen: 29 practices beginning Wednesday morning 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday practices are open to the media and public next week. Full Story

MacIntyre feels Colorado is capable of making run at bowl gameCU BUFFS FALL CAMPWhen: 29 practices beginning Wednesday morning 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday practices are open to the media and public next week. Full Story

It didn't take long for Denver music observers to notice Plume Varia. Husband and wife Shon and Cherie Cobbs formed the band only two years ago, but after about a year they started finding themselves on best-of lists and playing the scene's top venues. Full Story